All posts tagged Religion

Today I woke up to hear that GOP congressman in leadership was shot on a baseball field. This is not normal, but yet it is. We will not hear a call for gun control, because the NRA wants to make sure the gun manufacturers can sell as many guns as possible. We will only be marginally outraged because it was done by a white man. That is normal. It would be far worse if a black man shot the southern white congressman.

A vote in house today was cancelled due to the shooting, which again is normal due to the tragedy. It is also ironic because the vote was on deregulating gun silencers, presumably because Donald Trump Jr. told us his ears hurt after going hunting. Really? Silencers, the accessory of choice for hitmen and spies, needs to be a topic for our lawmakers? We are finally in an upside down world.

A friend trolled me recently. In a debate over issues he declared himself a secessionist. Appalled, I didn’t understand. And then he made his point. I think he’s right. What do I, a liberal, open minded Californian, have in common with the typical adult from Mississippi, Alabama or most of the old south? I believe all people are equal and deserve their civil rights. In the south, they work hard to suppress the votes from minorities and the poor. They see people as classes and objects and many are not afraid to say hateful things in public and glorify the days of slavery. What do liberal Americans have in common with those who glorify and embrace hate? Are we really one country? Will we ever agree?

The last election wasn’t about emails or making America great again. America was great, and we are doing our best to tarnish that shine. The last election was about the soul of this country, it was about values, the values of our country. Let’s put aside Russian interference and propaganda for today. It was there. It had an effect; it is naïve to think otherwise. One candidate made sure you knew it was ok to hate. He had a history of unethical behavior – from racism to fraud to sexual harassment. These are facts. And they are facts that did not bother 43% or so of voters.

He held Nazi Germany style rallies where he incited hate. He called for his opponent to be jailed over her use of a private email server. He asked the people at the rallies to pledge their loyalty to him. Not to the country but to him. He suggested that people in attendance beat protestors and people of color and they did. He demonized Muslims because of ISIS. He made the press stay in a pen like cattle, belittling them. He campaigned using slogans and images taken directly from white supremacy hate groups. Anti-Semitic images and tropes were sent out regularly.

He embraced misogyny and encouraged his supporters to do so. He made sure we knew he thought he should be king. Many cheered for it and the loss of freedom. Perhaps they did because people of color would be hurt more than the average white American. (Note: I’m Jewish. I’m not considered white by these hate groups.) And amidst this bonfire of hate he won.

So when the unethical self-styled dictator wins, the old normal is out the window. Since the election we have seen several things that may seem normal now, but are not. Actions that should make everyone take notice and scream “this is wrong!” Yet, many people do not. Here is a short list:

The justice department took every white hate group off their terror watch list. But only the white ones.

The president/dictator decries every possible crime by Muslims and people of color and ignores hate crimes by whites.

The president/dictator made a holocaust memorial statement that never mentioned Jews. It was straight from the Nazi speech guide. They cheered.

The president/dictator has declared the free press an enemy of the state and the people.

The president/dictator ignored nepotism rules and placed his family on the white house staff.

The president/dictator refused to divest any of his assets and continues to profit as he takes money via his ventures from foreign governments.

The president/dictator includes his daughter in key international meetings. Amazingly enough, she gets funding, licenses and copyrights from these governments after the meetings as if by coincidence.

The president/dictator installed a known foreign agent as his National Security Advisor.

The president/dictator fired the acting attorney general that made sure he knew NSA was comprised.

The president/dictator installed several cabinet members with the stated objective of destroying the areas they oversee. The Environment, Health, Urban Development and Education to start.

The president/dictator installed other cabinet members that look corrupt such as Treasury, Commerce and Health.

The congress believes it is important to deny health care to the less fortunate so that the rich can get a tax break (Note: while I’m not in the top 2%, I will receive a significant tax break) and the middle class and poor can pay more for health insurance AND taxes.

Congress has decided that transparency is no longer needed. They work behind closed doors and hold votes before the public and the Democrats in congress can see, read and understand the bills.

The president/dictator glorifies outlets that promote propaganda and hate.

The president/dictator plays golf at a property he owns every weekend, having the government (that’s you and I) pay him for the privilege.

Customs and Immigration officials now routinely hold, question and hassle people of color coming into the US. This includes green card holders how are legal residents.

The president/dictator’s son in law left off meetings with Russian officials from his security forms. Since we all know what these meetings were about, this was not an oversight. It was purposeful and a felony. Nothing has come of it.

The attorney general lied about meeting with Russian officials in his confirmation hearings. Later he claimed he forgot. He forgot a great many things in testimony recently. If you forgot that many things you’d be fired from any job. But today it is ok.

The Secretary of Education made sure we knew she paid for her appointment. She wanted to get her money’s worth.

A man running for congress assaulted a reporter. Many people now believe the press deserve to be beaten. And he won.

The president/dictator had alienated traditional US allies such as Germany and France, while glorifying dictators in Russia, Turkey, North Korea and the Philippines.

The president/dictator openly supported the racist, fascist candidate in the French election.

The president/dictator took the US out the world wide climate accord because, he wanted a better deal.

The president/dictator lied about the previous president spying on him.

With all of this, and I’m sure I have forgotten a few key items, it is no wonder our country is divided, with what seems like few common values. To many, hating people of color is natural. Hate crimes are on the rise. Ethics have gone by the wayside. Corruption by politicians is now open and accepted.

Recently a man started yelling at two Muslim girls on a Portland train. When 3 men stood up for the girls, they were stabbed and 2 died. There was no outrage from the president/dictator. Race traitors like that deserve death, the white supremacists would claim. He only made a statement days later when the outcry was loud. No worry, the racists know he didn’t mean it.

I’m not a huge LeBron James fan, but the man has talent. He’s also rich. Yet his Los Angeles mansion was spray painted with hate recently. It is becoming normal to see this and the outrage is less than it would have been a few years ago. How can we not be upset?

When white men shoot others, it is an aberration. When people of color do it, it is terrorism. This is not new, but now it is more prevalent. Regularly we see videos of people screaming at minorities to “go home” and that they aren’t welcome here. These are people who were born here, Americans. America has always been a melting pot. What we didn’t know is that so many people resented that fact. We now see that many just hid their racism and hate; they are thrilled to be invited into the light. Racism is part of the new normal. We have gone back to the 50’s. How long before someone proposes segregation again?

We can see that the ethics in our leaders have fallen off. Senators’ wives are given plum administration jobs and their criticisms stop. We are a partisan country, where one party is about winning at all costs, ethics are for losers. And losers have no say. We are seeing one party trying to rule, not govern. This is wrong.

There have been more than 15 ethics waivers for White House staff members, including the one that allows Steve Bannon to continue to have input (let’s be honest, direct) Breitbart, a noted hate site. When our leaders no longer care to at least pretend to be ethical, what happens to the populace’s idea of right and wrong? Our societal norms are being destroyed.

Our shared values are no longer shared and we can’t ignore it any more. One third of the country approves of the job the president/dictator is doing. This includes inciting hate and removing our freedoms. Ask the peaceful protestors facing long jail sentences for protesting the inauguration. This includes the reporters in the area covering the protest.

This was a country founded on religious freedom. You can believe and practice whatever you choose. Currently, there are many initiatives underway to change that. Allowing hate and discrimination under the guise of “religious freedom” is the first step. This is a major religion forcing everyone to abide by their ancient texts. Well, at least the portions they choose to read and accept. This is troubling.

Ask the green card holders tricked into signing away their rights by ICE agents as they returned home.

Ask women in congress who are shut down by their male counterparts. Women, especially black women, should know their place is the message being sent.

The power in Washington is enacting policies and procedures to redistribute wealth to the wealthiest, harm the poorest and keep minorities held down. While our nation has never been perfect, and it has a very dark history in regards to race, this bodes poorly. Our national values are disintegrating before our eyes.

Sadly, I saw this coming. So did many others. The majority of the country did not vote for it, yet many are excited by it. We are about to become a banana republic, ruled by the extremely wealthy. We now have to acknowledge that as a country we do not have shared values. Freedom was traded for hate. Blind eyes cast for enrichment. Many people’s values are formed and honed by the propaganda they chose like Fox, InfoWars and Breitbart. Don’t be fooled each is based on and steeped in hate and oppression. Each is an official propaganda outlet of the president/dictator.

It’s hard to ignore the fact that people I know both voted for this and still think it’s the right thing for the country. I won’t embrace hate and I won’t embrace those that empower hate. Its ugly now and it won’t end well. History is written by the victors. We may have to hope our history is written by another country.

Every time I turned on the TV or radio last week and heard about the horrific attacks in Paris, I became emotional and teared up. Each and every time. Other than the 0.0003% of the world that thinks these actions are justified and needed, I believe the rest of us are saddened and shocked. And while its clear we decry terrorist actions, so many people choose to take up the cause of hate. Justified hate in their minds.

Social media has been slammed with reminders that Muslims hate non-Muslims. Hate mongers see this as their call to action, to remind us that their brand of purification, eliminating the Muslim threat is justified. Clearly if you see the video “Moderate Muslims Don’t Want You to See!” you will see the foundations of violence. Allah’s word makes stoning adulterers and gays the right choice, the perfect law. And outrage and calls to arms resonate and grow in their might. And I’m saddened.

Yes, I freely acknowledge that the Koran preaches the killing of Jews and other non-Muslims. Belief in Allah and his words are the only way according to that book. No, I have no desire to read it. No I haven’t read the new testament either. Even if I have the details wrong, I have gist of it. But 1500 years later do we really believe that all 15 Billion Muslims believe this? I find that hard to believe, having known and worked with several.

It is easy to see why the hate mongers feel this way. But if we as a society ascribe to this, then what fate do we really have other than the mutually assured destruction the Reganites ascribed to? Is that the world we want? Clearly some people want that. I don’t.

The world changes doesn’t it? I sit here rationally and think to myself, what made sense in a feudal society a millennia ago doesn’t make sense now. Why can’t we, as a global society, agree to make the world a better peaceful place? Do we really need stonings, cruelty and racial hate? Well, actually we do. Rupert Murdoch and Fox News base their preaching and opinions on hate and violence. There are no decorations on a coffee cup and the WAR ON CHRISTMAS grows. Blacks protest the killing of unarmed people who may or may not be guilty of anything more than being black and it’s a sign of the WAR ON POLICE. In my opinion, they are the gasoline for the fires of hate in the world.

But then I see that video. I see a few hundred “assimilated” Muslims agreeing that Allah’s word is perfect. This is regard to stoning gays and adulterers. Is this true? Is this the majority? Hassidic Jews keep their men and women separated similarly. The Torah has passages requiring animal sacrifices. This practice stopped nearly two thousand years ago. Perhaps it’s time for mainstream Muslims to officially denounce such punishments and practices. This is not the feudal Middle East of a 1000 years ago.

Of course this won’t happen. The US has interests in places like Saudi Arabia where beheadings happen regularly and women and second class citizens. Is that a Muslim issue or Saudi issue? Africans often mutilate their women, but we decry that as a Muslim issue. Is it? Republicans and Democrats will work to prioritize and protect our oil and monetary interests over human rights.

I see the hate all around me. I see the seeds of religious righteousness on both sides. The Muslims with their holy words and the Christians letting me know I’ll go to hell because I am an unbeliever and sinner. Of course I sin (their word, not mine). It is more fun. I’m also a good person and I choose to believe that world is filled with good people. People who want to do the right thing, and no that doesn’t extend to knocking on my door to tell me my beliefs are wrong. You can keep your Watch Tower, tithes and personal messiahs. I’m good thank you. You can have your religion, but I’d rather stand for helping he oppressed, helping those whose lives required leaving their homelands. Yes, those refugees.

So rather than preaching hate, rather than expounding why we need a wall, rather than standing on soapboxes on why we need to eliminate countries and populations, why its important to keep the hidden terrorsits within the refugee community from our shores, why can’t we take the first step and seek to find how to solve the problems. Seek to understand before being understood. Maybe do some long range thinking. Even if you could eliminate every Muslim – that is what you are thinking, right?—what does that do for OUR world.? It is not just yours. It is your kids. It is your neighbors. It is mine and my friends’ too. Do you really want a world full of righteous murderers? Holy Repressors? Morally enabled thought police? Actually I think you do, but I don’t want that.

Yes, I know it is a very complex world with very complex problems. I have totally reduced the issues down to manageable, digestible bite sized pieces. This is my blog, my thoughts, not graduate thesis on world peace. But enough with the hate. Enough with the xenophobia. Don’t you think it is a counterproductive to your golden rule? I do.

You can tell the presidential election is right around the corner. And by that I mean 16 months away. Already we are inundated with candidates, especially from the right, that seem intent on grabbing headlines and mind space. What I’ve noticed, not that it is new, is the hate and fear mongering that is going on. It seems to have ratcheted up significantly over the last few years.

Perhaps we should blame Karl Rove and Dick Cheney. After all, they masterminded W’s presidency and campaigns and solidified the country behind him. This was done by fueling the fear that Iraq was ready to bomb the US and was funding/hiding/helping terrorists. Turns out that none that was true. But being scared, we overlooked the “mistakes in intelligence” (or lies as they might be called – Colin Powell might have quit because of them, as you may recall). And then fear became a heavy political tool.

So what do we have today? Fear that our religious freedoms are being taken away. Where? I don’t see it. Marriage for all? Ok, don’t perform weddings in your church for a same sex couple. Do you really believe a gay couple, who KNOW you hate their lifestyle and biology, want to force you to do their wedding? I don’t think so either. Let’s be totally honest, your religious bigotry is fine in your home and probably in your church or shed or garage or wherever. But let’s be frank:

Marriage is a legal contract accorded with rights under the constitution and laws of this nation.

Stop fighting it. If you really believe you must get divorced so that you can protest what the 9 smartest legal minds in country decided, perhaps it is more curious why you haven’t joined a cult. David Koresh anyone? The Moonies? The Manson Family? Maybe Heaven’s Gate was more your speed; feel free to restart that one.

And let’s not throw down “the Bible”. Men wrote it. It’s been edited and modified many more times over the last 1500 years than you are probably willing to admit Let’s stop looking at this novel as sacrosanct. You want to follow it? Great. But recall it also has several men with multiple wives. It contradicts itself. It’s a book. The only thing it doesn’t have a T. Rex and Woolly Mammoths. Ever wonder why? Me too.

That all being said, I believe in your right to believe what you want. And other than a piece here now and again, I won’t disparage you in public. After all, over 70% of the US practices some form of Christianity and only 2% of are Jews. You know us, the cheap ass money lenders leading the illuminati, right?

But you don’t have a problem with other religions do you? You afford them the same respect as you would like? You know, that vocal minority waging “the war on Christmas”. That’s code for “They are attacking Christianity”. One of the most ridiculous causes I’ve ever heard. The overwhelming majority sets the rules. And in case you forgot, there are no famous, renowned or even discussed Jewish Founding Fathers in US lore. And there is no attack on Christianity. But there is a lack of patience for intolerance and institutionalized ignorance. The world is changing. Civilization is, in a sense, growing up.

That’s why Fox will bring up “THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS!” every year. It resonates. It helps fuel the fear that “their” religion is under attack. Clearly, Fox spokestool Bill O’Reilly is onto something. After all, this religious attack is the worst we’ve seen since the holocaust. No? I must have been watching the wrong “news” station. My bad.

What you fear in the night
comes to call in the day anyway
(Duritz, Bryson 1994)

My friend and author Laura Antoniou put it well, “… if you think someone’s religious beliefs trump my civil rights, then you are cordially invited to fuck off.” I couldn’t agree more. It is about civil rights. Not only are we finally righting the wrongs of the South and their war on civil rights for Blacks (150 years in the making mind you) we are also giving everyone civil rights regardless of sexual orientation. The amount of progress and growth in the last few weeks has been immense. Or has it?

My favorite whipping boy, the Genius Ted Cruz, thinks that extending those civil rights will hurt the Christian Churches he loves so much. The Evil Obama IRS is targeting their tax exempt status. That’s right. Genius Ted believes that organizations that deny the civil rights of others are to be glorified and guaranteed their tax exempt status. He is frightened of potential changes brought about by the evil Obama IRS.

In fact, so much so he is also scared for the Jewish Churches. Yo! Genius! Jews don’t go to church. We don’t have churches. We go to Synagogues and Temples. Or we go to Shul (an acceptable secondary answer). I was appalled at his lack of grace and class. Of course he was talking to Glenn Beck, so my expectations were already quite low.

Let’s ignore the ridiculously large amount of insensitivity toward the Jewish people. Let’s focus on the fear mongering. I know I have been concerned over the Catholic Church’s tax exempt status for years. How else could they afford to pay hush money and settlements to the victims of pedophile priests? I’m not saying all priests are bad. Most aren’t and I’m a HUGE fan of Pope Francis. But since the number of pedophile priests is more than 1, (and honestly it is WAY more than 1) it is too many.

And other religions have their issues as well. So is creating a worry about tax exempt status important? Why yes it is. It allows people to focus on things other than the fact that many organized religions are more concerned with denying others their civil rights and freedoms than they are anything else. This distracts the conversation. It’s the political equivalent of yelling “Squirrel!” It rallies the religious base to ignore what’s really important and move to build a protective wall around their (religious) treasure. And nothing generates more votes than fear and hate.

For the record, there has not been any targeting of churches’ tax exempt status for this reason yet. But when the issue was raised in the Supreme Court discussion, it was noted that the continued denial of civil rights could lead to a review of tax exempt status. That makes sense to me. If corporations or people deny anyone their civil rights, there is an action taken against them. Are we to believe that religious entities are above the law?

Yes Virginia, there is freedom of religion in this country, but there is not freedom to break the law. If your new religion requires human sacrifice and cannibalism should we permit it? (I’m sorry if that hit too close to your beliefs, Scientology.) Of course not. The law wasn’t enacted to circumvent religion. It was enacted to guarantee that all MEN and WOMEN are created equal and allowed the same rights. Period. We should not celebrate anyone or anything that believes otherwise. Next you will tell me Boko Haram kidnapping and killing girls because they dared be educated is allowable. Stop using religion to shield your small mindedness. Embrace the golden rule – treat everyone well. Don’t make exceptions when you don’t or won’t understand others.

In the Dark Ages and other less advanced times, homosexuality and science (!) were considered Satan’s work. We know that’s not true now. You can ignore science. You can dislike the practice of homosexuality. But we acknowledge the truth of science and we know homosexuality is not a choice. We are smarter, more educated and more open to the truth of things than we were. Let’s stop the fear mongering. Let’s stop the hate speech. I think it is time for understanding and acceptance.

And you kill what you fear
And you fear what you don’t understand
(Collins, Banks 1980)

Hey Ted! Boy Genius! Do you think you could lay off the fear mongering and hate speech? Do you think could work on understanding? You did go to college, you do have an education. Keep in mind I will be proposing a Wonderlic Test for politicians. And why yes, I do think you would score below Vince Young, another famous Texan. Maybe you could aspire to more? I don’t think so either.

A common meme on the Internet this week is that the Confederate Flag has lost its fight with Skittles. Cute, but in a sense it diminishes the two major sea changes we’ve just seen. As a nation, we’ve recognized that the Confederate Battle Flag is a demeaning reminder of slavery and treason (Yes Virginia, secession was treason. I’m glad we can cut the “Northern Aggression” bullshit). Voices have been heard and it has come down. If you want to fly it, great, it is your right. But let’s be honest — most people will see your flag in the same vein that they view Swastika tattoos. It is not good.

And the Supreme Court verified a few key things this past week, all “Jiggery-Pokery” aside. The affordable care act was not struck down for the umpteenth time. Turns out that intent is key. A misused word should not remove the health care of millions of Americans. I know it does not affect you, but it affects many. Get over it. It is the law and it makes sense.

Speaking of making sense, marriage makes sense, if you want to be married. There is no gay marriage, there is just marriage. And while my religious friends may be having a heart attack that their religions are being forced to perform weddings for people they find unfit, they have totally missed the boat as usual. Marriage started as a religious act so that the Catholic Church could access and control wealth and property. End of Story. Today, marriage is as much a legal necessity as anything else. If you are not married, benefits can’t be had. Want to visit your lover in the hospital? It’s a crapshoot. Want to inherit? That will better be iron clad. And those of you that are very religious, calling same sex relationships every nasty name in the book? They don’t want you to marry them. Please take your fear mongering to the bunker under your house. That’s where it belongs.

I was struck this past week by the extreme amount of hate speech I saw this week. A few key item included:

OBAMA Comes of the Closet!

Obama is Blackmail Judge Roberts!

Obama has corrupted the government – all 3 branches are now legislative!

Obama Wants to Take Your Guns Away!

Churches are now required to perform wedding ceremonies for same sex couples!

Obama is a Dictator with more Executive Orders Than any Other President!

Mexico Sends Rapists to the US! (Trump says what everyone is thinking)

Our Leaders are Stupid! (Thank you again Donald Trump)

I don’t know about you, but I felt like I was reading The Weekly World News at the check stand. All that was missing is Michelle Obama is Bigfoot’s Love Slave! Was there ever any better entertainment than the WWN?

Freedom of speech and civil liberties are cornerstones of our country, I’d never deign to suggest otherwise. But freedom of speech does not allow one to yell FIRE! In a theater or remove the responsibility for not engaging in slander or libel. You might not be arrested for your words, but they do have consequences. You might lose your job. You might lose your friends. There could be other issues. Freedom of speech is not a silver bullet. And yes the Holocaust was real, not matter what the deniers say.

That brings us to my friend Donald Trump. I’m not sure if I’m more appalled at his bombast, his gall or his belief that people will buy into what he says. He tells us in his presidential announcement that Mexico sends the US its drug dealers and rapists. And then he’s surprised that the largest Latino network wants to cancel its contract with him. Good for them. His threats of lawsuits shouldn’t matter. His behavior crosses well over the line of decency and there must be consequences. OJ went free. I’m pretty sure that Univision, may have to go to court, but they’ll win. Happily. The good will they will receive from their audience will far out way the threatened $15 million law suit Trump threatens.

Of course I have another idea. If I ran Univision, I would show Trumps beauty contests. Of course I would also send interns to film it. I’d hire catty mean girls (14-16 years old, of course) to announce it. I would also run it at 3am, with commercials for the Hot Belt (!) running every 5 minutes to add to the drama. Perhaps allowing viewers to live tweet pictures of Trump with donkeys and tequila to show on the bottom crawl. I would accentuate the side show it is. I think creatively fulfilling this contract might be a better statement than the current pullout. The opportunity for satire is here, by the burro full.

But back to my main point. Why do we hate? Why do we tell ourselves that it is ok to twist the truth into pretzels and then get offended when rational minds question and debate the illogic that is so pervasive today? I’m not trying to be politically correct. I am far from PC. I believe giving every kid who participates a trophy has its roots in a good idea, but the results suck. I’m tired of hearing “but I tried” as an excuse for failure. Sometimes it is very clear when people don’t try. Let’s not be PC. But can we be responsible? Politically Responsible. I think the current environment allows too many people to believe they don’t need to be responsible. There are no consequences to their words and attitude.

Today the world is both larger and smaller. The internet is helping to create a new type of isolationism and it is harmful. Take a good hard look at what you say, what you promote, what you inspire. Is it good? Do you still believe there is a black conspiracy to take down police departments everywhere? Do you still believe, what you are saying is right and justified? Perhaps you should stop lying to yourself.

I think it is time to rethink our behavior and attitudes. It is past time. I believe we need to differentiate between the political and religious hate mongering that is taking place and freedom of speech. Take Donald Trump’s latest vomit of hate. How can we in good conscious not label him as racist? Not hold him accountable for his unsubtle call for others be racist? Maybe it’s a publicity stunt? I can’t imagine anyone would vote for him for president. Honestly, I can’t believe anyone does business with him and I hope every Latin owned or themed business chooses not to do business with him, his businesses and his family. I bet Ivanka loves burritos. No Burrito For YOU!

This is the land of opportunity, where all men are created equal. Where we take in immigrants that others reject (you know The New Colossus), “yearning to be free.” Let’s be free. But let’s be responsible. I don’t recall anyone saying that George W. Bush made a deal with devil to gain the White House. Nor did I ever hear anyone say Dick Cheney is evil – wait strike that, it is hard to argue that one. If we are to fulfill our potential and truly be a great nation, a great melting pot of various ethnicities, beliefs and skills, we need to differentiate between what we believe, what’s a lie and what’s inflammatory. I believe we have too long allowed hate to permeate our way of life and that both taints our achievements and impedes our ability to succeed. If we are to improve and reach new heights, I believe this concept must be considered.

Allowing this behavior and these lies in the name of free speech are hurtful. It’s a very nebulous line sometime. For instance, if Bill O’Reilly believes something it must be true. He was adamant there is not systemic racism in the US. It depends what your definition of systemic is. After all, if Fox, the arbiter of news laden with fair and balanced facts, says there is no racism there must not be any. It is Fox News, not Fox Opinions, right? Of course perhaps this is their way of hiding the racial divide that many are trying to breach and close. Or its ratings. And yes, there is still systemic racism. I know it can be hard to see with your head in the sand, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Perhaps the noted diplomat and renowned healer of our times, Donald Trump can help us fix these issues. You are right, I don’t think so either. But what the fuck is his endgame? I he really that egotistical that he believes he can win? Even Marco Rubio’s kids don’t think so.

Footnotes:

All three branches of government have a hand in determining, making and validating laws. It is that whole checks and balances thing. Civics people, High School Civics.

Everyone wants to take your guns away. This is not the 18th century. We don’t need guns in every home. There are exponentially more murders and crimes with citizen owned guns than there are justifiable shootings. This isn’t the Wild West, no matter what Texans think. The NRA and its lobby have way too much power. But everyone else want’s your guns. Seriously. Of course the NRA can have too much power here, but does that mean that every other country has it wrong? Fucking Europeans and their socialistic gun laws. No wonder every American hates to vacation in London, Paris, Germany. Not enough guns and shootings. Wait. L

Obama not only has made fewer executive orders than almost any president of the 35 years, he has the fewest per year of all. Bush 41 shouldn’t be ignored because he only got 4 years, not 8. And let’s be honest, Obama didn’t make torture (I’m sorry – enhanced interrogation techniques) legal. He didn’t stop medical research to appease the religious right. (By the way, I fully support avoiding certain activities that are contrary to your religious belief. But since it doesn’t offend mine, please don’t tell me how to live or act. Impeding medical research on YOUR religious belief is wrong. You don’t like abortion? Great, don’t get one. I respect that. But don’t tell someone she can’t because YOU don’t believe in it. That’s not too neighborly; it is preachy. I won’t knock on your door to tell you are wrong. Don’t impact how I can live or act. It is my right. Just as your religion is yours. I may not agree, but I respect it. Please respect my beliefs and the beliefs of others.) Of course Obama did sign an order so that we can prepare for climate change. How does that effect your ability to say “It’s all LIES!” and impact your life? That’s right it fucking doesn’t. Ignore climate change. Ignore what you want. But don’t get in my way of making this world better. I’ll let you stay and share. Remember when you thought lead in the gasoline was a good idea. I thought not.